33. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the motor industry in this country in 1914; and what is the number employed at the present time?
§ Mr. SHAWAs the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Sir F. HALLAs the answer is to be circulated with my permission, may I say I take exception to that course. I only want the figures in two cases—1914 and 1923—and I ask the right hon. Gentleman to produce them.
§ Mr. SHAWThe number of insured contributors under the Unemployment Insurance Acts recorded as engaged in the construction and repair of motor cars, motor lorries, motor omnibuses, motor cycles, pedal cycles, and aircraft in Great Britain at July, 1923, the latest date for which statistics have been obtained, was approximately 193,100. No statistics are available as to the numbers engaged on construction and repair of pedal cycles or aircraft, included in this total, or as to the corresponding total in 1914. The number given includes unemployed insured persons, but excludes certain classes of persons, for example, juveniles under 16 years of age and non-manual workers whose rate of remuneration exceeds £250 per annum. It also excludes workpeople employed on the manufacture of tyres and motor components and accessories in establishments not engaged in the construction and repair of motor vehicles, etc.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only question I have 415 asked and the only reply I desire is as to the number of people engaged in the motor industry in 1914 compared with the number in 1923? I did not ask about pedal cycles. I challenge the right hon. Gentleman to produce the figures for which I have asked and I will repeat my question on this day week.
§ Mr. SHAWIt is my desire to communicate all the information at my disposal to the hon. and gallant Gentleman and I apologise if my willingness has imposed an unduly long answer upon him.